Prof. Robert Galler's Lecture on NATM & Case studies

Prof. Robert Galler at Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Today (March 3rd, 2014) we had a special lecture by Prof. Robert Galler (official page) from University of Leoben, Austria. Prof. Galler gave us an overview of the NATM Technique with few examples. Basically, the lecture was a brief of the contents presented in his book "NATM - The Austrian Practice of Conventional Tunnelling" published by Austrian Society of Geomechanics (review of this book was covered in my blog, here) and his paper on New NATM Guidelines[1]. Prof. Galler explained us about the Design stage workflow and construction stage followed in NATM with emphasis on monitoring and role of a Geotechnical engineers during construction.

Prof. Galler also explained in brief, about the Austrian Practice of "Works Contracts" for Underground works based on Austrian Standard ÖNORM B2203-1. This standard addresses the need for flexibility in contracts in order to take advantage of NATM's strength. ÖNORM B2203-1 proposes costing guidelines to prepare Advancement (Round Length) vs Support Factor Matrix for deciding different support classes.

Example of Costing matrix proposed in B2203-1 [2]

Also we received a personalized signed copy of the book "The Austrian Art of Tunnelling in Construction Consulting and Research" (link) from Prof. Galler.

The Austrian Art of Tunnelling - ISBN 978-3-433-02924-4

References:

[1] Galler, R., et al. "The New Guideline NATM–The Austrian Practice of Conventional Tunnelling." BHM Berg-und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte 154.10 (2009): 441-449.

[2] The Austrian Practice of NATM Tunnelling Contracts, Austrian Society of Geomechanics, ÖGG Salzburg, 2011 (available at ÖGG's website)